This book explores small town geographical aspects by approaching them from a socio-spatial perspective. The contributions included in this book delve into a range of topics that have not been commonly studied before, such as white privilege, neglect of municipal infrastructure, collaborative governance, livelihoods in small-scale fisheries, housing provision, well-being in mining towns, studentification in rural contexts, election trends, and the historical development of small-town spas.The book adopts a socio-spatial point of view, providing a holistic understanding of the interplay between social and spatial factors within selected small town case studies. This approach sheds light on the socio-economic, political, and cultural dynamics that shape small towns. This localized perspective allows for a more targeted analysis of issues and potential solutions, taking into account the specific historical, cultural, and political contexts of small town South Africa. The edited volumeserves as a valuable resource for academics, policymakers, practitioners, and anyone interested in understanding and improving small towns in South Africa.

Autorentext

Ronnie Donaldson is a professor of urban geography at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. His area of expertise lies in the field of small town geographies. In 2018, he authored a monograph on small town tourism in South Africa. Additionally, Ronnie has an extensive publication record, which includes 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, as well as one sole-edited book and six co-edited books. In recognition of his contributions, Ronnie was granted an honorary Fellowship of the Society of South African in 2022. He has served as a visiting scholar at Iceland University, Pécs University, São Paolo University, and Sciences Po (Paris).